My goal as a therapist is to make my clients feel seen. Authenticity, language, and empathy are the three tenets in my therapeutic work. Our lived experiences shape the way we interact with others and, as a result, old patterns may resurface. By creating dialogue in the room, my clients and I are able to foster a space for healing work to begin. As a growth-oriented clinician, I value the growth that comes from the therapeutic process and want to help my clients reclaim their power and be the change they wish to experience in their lives.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
A first session with me is a first impression of me, and I think it's important to provide containment and boundaries around the type of therapeutic work I do. The initial session would include understanding a client's history of mental health professionals and learning what was helpful or unhelpful in their journey. This is also a great time for me to learn any accommodations or things a client would like for me to know at the onset of our work together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am an authentic and expressive human being who is great at tracking details in a client's narratives and stay engaged throughout sessions.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I have extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and families. I have primarily supported people navigating depression, anxiety, family conflict, family-of-origin-issues, identity exploration, and relationships. I enjoy working with queer, trans/non-cis, neurodivergent clients.
About Ami-Ray Camarena
Ami-Ray Camarena offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Gender-affirming therapy
I have extensive experience working with trans and non-cis clients in navigating identity exploration as well as finding ways of navigating cisheteronormative constructs in clients' lives (e.g. work, school, social, relational, etc.)
Attachment-based
Humans are social creatures and have an innate desire for connection. Understanding unmet emotional needs throughout a client's lifespan is essential in better understanding how to manage relationship conflict as well as emotional regulation.
Trauma Informed Care
Providing emotional safety and security is an important component of therapy. Using a trauma-informed approach would include practicing consent throughout all stages of therapy, not just the intake process.
Experiential Therapy
Some folks may take a while to warm up to a therapist. Using experiential interventions through expressive arts like music, arts and crafts, writing, are some of the ways in which potential clients can find ways to express something that may be difficult to put into words.